we touched this same spot with our hands, our feet, our gaze and our dreams

Friday, May 24, 2013

Turning Japanese

So you’re thinking of becoming a naturalized Japanese citizen? Here’s what to do

Be serious Changing your citizenship is, obviously, a
big decision. Japan doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, meaning by law
you’ll have to renounce the nationality of your homeland. You will have
to give up your old passport, and you may no longer be able to live
freely, work, or in some cases, own property in your former country.

Get a job As wonderful as it is to freelance,
Japanese bureaucracy puts a heavy emphasis on traditional full-time
employment, and you’ll need to show on your application how you make a
living.

Establish residency You must have been a resident of
Japan for at least five years, as reckoned from the date of landing on
your gaijin card. And don’t forget to get a re-entry permit if you
leave; otherwise the counter will be reset.

Get married The easiest way to expedite the process
is to marry a Japanese national. You will have a much harder time
becoming a Japanese citizen if you don’t.

Learn the language You should anyway, but because
you will be dealing with your immigration officer in Japanese and
writing an essay about why you want to naturalize, you’ll need to have
your speaking and (at least some) reading and writing in order.

Pay your taxes You’ll need to prove that you have made your contribution to society.Behave Don’t get into any legal entanglements.

Pick a name If you’ve always wanted a cool kanji
name, this is your chance. In the old days, you had to pick from a
limited group of standardized names, but now you can choose your own
characters. You can even write your name with katakana if you prefer.

Prepare yourself for the long haul Applying for
citizenship is a trying process, designed to weed out applicants through
attrition. You will need to meet multiple times with the immigration
officer, so be ready to accommodate any extra requests.

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WEATHER IN KURUME

もうひとつの東京タイム

One Way Out

Higashi Kurume Station..the way to Ikebukuro and the cheap movies and Haneda airport

Ed “Mr Lucky” Martin

GALATIANS 2: 20, 21

I M I

Love On Japan

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Norman Grubb gave this series of addresses in 1954 at the Evangelical Missionary Association of Japan and Deeper Life Conference in Karuizawa, Japan. In these eight days of love and fellowship he pours out his own 'missionary heart' to them as only one who has "walked their walk" can do!